Revolutionizing Design with the “Type 7” by Ressence
The Belgian watchmaker “Ressence” has made a groundbreaking shift in the luxury watch world with its latest creation, the Type 7. This watch is not just a new addition to the luxury watch market; it is a radical rethinking of how we interact with time on our wrists. The Type 7 is the first model from Ressence to feature a GMT function and an integrated titanium bracelet, making it a unique experience compared to any other luxury watch.
Radical Changes in Design
In terms of design, the Type 7 marks a radical departure from previous models. While Ressence has been known for its round-cased designs, the Type 7 features a tonneau-shaped case with flat sides and polished edges, a design that emphasizes a refreshed industrial aesthetic. This shift in shape strikes a balance between modernity and timelessness, while preserving Ressence’s distinct identity that makes it unique in the luxury watch world.
Interacting with Time: A New Vision
What makes the Type 7 particularly unique is its distinctive interaction with time. By innovating with oil-filled dial technology that prevents any light distortion, the watch offers an unparalleled time-reading experience. This technology makes the indicators appear as if they are floating beneath the sapphire crystal, giving it a 3D effect that mimics the concept of directly observing time in an unconventional way.
Aesthetic and Engineering Touches
The combination of a clear geometric shape and the oil-filled liquid dial creates a striking visual contrast between the harsh exterior and the smooth internal movement of the dial. This balance between rigidity and flexibility, within the watch’s frame, enhances its visual appeal and represents an unconventional step in the world of luxury watches.
The Balance Between Innovation and Tradition in Ressence’s “Type 7”
As one of Ressence’s representatives explains, their goal was to explore new territories without abandoning the essence of what makes their watches distinctive. This is precisely what the Type 7 achieves exceptionally well, as it blends clear innovation with strong ties to Ressence’s history. While the watch carries all the signature traits of the Ressence family, its design presents something entirely new in the watchmaking world.
Angular Design and Seamless Integration
One of the standout features of the Type 7 is the seamless integration between the angular case and the integrated bracelet, creating a cohesive visual statement from all angles. While previous designs leaned towards round shapes, this shift adds a contemporary industrial character. The integration of the case with the bracelet reflects the integrity of the design, clearly showing that each part has been thoughtfully crafted to ensure smooth lines from all directions.
Visual Tension Between Rigidity and Fluidity
A key detail of the watch is the visual contrast between the solid structure and the flowing internal elements. The brutalist approach of the exterior contrasts attractively with the organic movement of the time indicators on the liquid dial. This tension creates a dynamic visual effect that captures attention and sparks curiosity. Indeed, this element adds an exciting visual aspect that makes it easy to immerse oneself in the smooth movement of the orbital system.
Case Size and Wearing Comfort
The case measures 41mm, which is the ideal size that strikes a balance between a substantial appearance and aesthetic impact, without overwhelming smaller wrists. As for the materials, Grade 5 titanium was chosen to give the watch an unexpectedly light feel compared to its strong appearance. This light weight makes it incredibly comfortable to wear, representing a significant shift for those accustomed to heavier watches.
Oil-Filled Dial Technology: A Unique Visual Experience
What truly sets the Type 7 apart is its oil-filled dial technology, which creates a visual effect where the time indicators appear to float directly beneath the sapphire crystal. By filling the dial chamber with oil, any light distortion is completely eliminated, providing the watch with an exceptional level of visual clarity. One must see the effect in person to fully appreciate it, as images cannot convey the true clarity and beauty of the dial, which seems to form directly beneath the glass.
Oil-Filled Dial: The Solution to Optical Distortions
Traditional watch dials often suffer from optical distortions when viewed from different angles, which can impact the clarity of time reading. However, the Type 7 offers an innovative solution to this problem by implementing the oil-filled dial technology, which ensures perfect clarity from any angle. This technology creates a holographic-like effect, making reading the time a unique visual experience, unmatched by any other mechanical watch.
Holographic Effect: A New Time-Reading Experience
The key difference between the Type 7 and other watches lies in the ability of the oil-filled dial technology to completely eliminate distortions that typically occur when viewing the watch from the side. This innovation ensures that the watch remains sharp and clear, turning time reading into a visually pleasing experience. Even my favorite GMT-Master II, regarded as one of the best watches in its category for clarity, cannot match this exceptional level of visual clarity.
Engineering Challenges and Ressence’s Advanced Solutions
The engineering challenges that Ressence faced in developing the Type 7 were significant and represent an important technical achievement. The movement needed to remain oil-free while the oil-immersed display components functioned properly. To tackle this issue, Ressence developed a magnetic transmission system that separates the core movement (ETA 2824) from the magnetically-driven ROCS module. This system allows each component to work in its ideal environment, ensuring reliability while maintaining the unique visual displays that distinguish Ressence.
Clever Integration of the GMT Function
In the Type 7, Ressence introduced the GMT function for the first time in its orbital display system. However, rather than relying on the traditional GMT hand, they incorporated a sub-dial with a 24-hour system that rotates within the larger time display. This addition preserves the visual harmony of the watch while offering a real benefit for travelers who need to track multiple time zones. As a living example, I find this execution to be a perfect blend of beauty and practicality— a rare combination in the watch industry.
Advanced Engineering in the Bracelet
An important aspect of the Type 7 design is the integrated bracelet made from Grade 5 titanium. The bracelet represents an evolution in engineering, continuing the angular design language introduced with the case. Each link is precisely crafted from the same metal, ensuring material consistency and maintaining visual harmony throughout the watch. These technical choices demonstrate Ressence’s commitment to producing timepieces that are meticulous both in form and function.
Advanced Link System in the Bracelet
Ressence engineers have developed a proprietary link system that allows the bracelet to follow the contours of the wrist while maintaining the distinctive geometric aesthetic of the watch. This system relies on comprehensive computer modeling to determine the optimal size for the links and their pivot points, ensuring maximum comfort for the wearer. At the same time, the innovative design remains intact, contributing to the seamless combination of comfort and visual appeal.
Time Adjustment System and Structural Integration
The “Type 7” watch features a unique time adjustment mechanism that replaces the traditional crown, requiring the use of a winding and adjustment system located on the back of the watch. This system, called the “Ressence Pressure Locking System” (RCLS), eliminates the need for a crown, preserving the clean lines of the case. It also ensures the watch is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it sufficiently resistant for daily activities without worry. Although it’s not designed for diving, this water resistance rating guarantees durability in everyday conditions.
Bracelet and Case Integration
The integration of the bracelet with the case represents a technical achievement in itself. Ressence developed a proprietary mounting system that creates a seamless connection between the case and bracelet, enhancing the overall design of the watch. Using this system, traditional visual gaps between the case and bracelet are eliminated, making the design more harmonious and less complex while ensuring structural stability under pressure.
Comfortable Bracelet Adjustment
As for the bracelet, it incorporates a mechanism with five precise adjustment points, allowing for size adjustments without the need for tools. This innovative technology addresses one of the biggest challenges of integrated bracelets—the difficulty of adjusting the bracelet to achieve the perfect fit due to environmental changes throughout the day, ensuring comfort for the wearer at all times.
Impressive Technical Specifications
The “Type 7” watch stands out with its impressive technical specifications on every level, reflecting Ressence’s commitment to innovation and high performance. The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, ensuring smooth second hand motion and exceptional precision in timekeeping. This rate is ideal for achieving temporal stability in mechanical watches.
Power Reserve
The watch is equipped with a power reserve of up to 36 hours, providing reliable operation between each winding. This duration is sufficient for weekend use, making it an ideal choice for everyday wear.
Case Thickness and Design
What also distinguishes the “Type 7” is its case thickness of just 12.5 mm, an impressive figure considering the complexity of the watch’s technologies. This slim design is a testament to Ressence’s engineering prowess, balancing aesthetics and high performance. The thinness makes the watch more comfortable to wear compared to many other GMT watches, enhancing its usability throughout the day.
Available Models
Ressence offers two models for collectors and watch enthusiasts to choose from:
- Night Blue Model: Featuring a ceramic bezel, this model is part of the permanent collection. Its depth and richness complement the technical nature of the watch perfectly, making it an attractive choice for many watch lovers.
- Aquamarine XV Model: Representing a limited edition to celebrate Ressence’s 15th anniversary, this version features a unique color palette with an aluminum bezel. It is limited to only 80 pieces worldwide, making it an exclusive option for early buyers.
Market Position and Future Impact
The “Type 7” confirms its position in the luxury watch category, priced at 36,000 Swiss Francs (approximately 40,000 USD). This price is clearly justified given the exclusive technology and engineering innovations the watch offers. It highlights Ressence’s strength as a boutique specializing in high-concept timepieces, with its value stemming from true innovation rather than relying on legacy or brand recognition.
The release of the “Type 7” comes at a time when the watch industry is witnessing a boom in brutalist designs, with brands like Toledano & Chan and Girard-Perregaux embracing angular aesthetics in their collections. This timing places the watch in the perfect position within current design conversations, while preserving Ressence’s unique identity that sets it apart from other brands in the market.
Ressence’s Balance of Sharp Edges and Liquid Dial Design
Ressence strikes a perfect balance between sharp edges and its unique liquid dial design, creating a visual language that blends modernity with timelessness. This contemporary approach is highly appreciated by collectors who value futuristic design, especially in a watch industry often defined by tradition and gradual improvements. In the GMT category, where innovations typically focus on color rather than rethinking time display methods, this achievement stands out.
Innovative Technologies
The oil-filled dial technology establishes an immediate visual connection with time, distinguishing the “Type 7” from other watches in its category. Additionally, the GMT function provides practical value for travelers who need to track multiple time zones. This combination of beauty and functionality makes the watch both a work of art and a precise tool at the same time.
Impact on Its Owners
For owners, the watch offers a completely different relationship with timekeeping. By pushing the boundaries of mechanical engineering while respecting astronomical principles, Ressence offers a glimpse into the potential future of the watch industry.
Global Attention
The “Type 7” has captured the imagination of the global watch community, generating immediate interest among collectors who recognize the significance of this engineering achievement in the watchmaking industry.
